Springbok loose-forward Pierre Spies has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup in France following the detection of blood clots in his lungs.
Springbok team Doctor Yusuf Hassan said late on Monday the player may not participate in any contact sport for a period of between six and eight months.
”He will be treated and monitored over the next couple of months,” said Hassan.
Spies, who has played a starring role for the Springboks over the last two years, was considered coach Jake White’s first choice for the number eight jersey.
White said he was devastated by the news of the player’s health.
”It’s a huge loss for the team,” said White. ”He is such a great player who would have played a huge role in our campaign in France. It would have been fascinating to see him in action with the likes of Schalk Burger at the World Cup.”
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis will replace number eight Spies in the Springbok squad.
This was announced on Tuesday by SA Rugby, who said Du Plessis has joined the squad and the hooker will not be available for the Sharks during the remainder of the Absa Currie Cup series.
When asked why a hooker was included to replace a loose forward, chairperson of selectors Pieter Jooste said the squad was well covered as far as number eights are concerned.
”We have Bobby Skinstad, Danie Rossouw and Juan Smith who can all play at number eight, and Bismarck has always been in the mix,” he said.
Spies said he was sad to be out of the game for such a long time, but was also looking at the bright side.
”It would have been great to be in France, but I must accept that it is good that they diagnosed the problem much earlier,” said Spies.
”Matters could have been worse had I continued playing. I wish the team all the best in France, and am also looking forward to playing for the Springboks again in the near future.”
The Springboks are currently in Durban continuing their preparations for the World Cup. They spent last week in Cape Town and are set to play Namibia in a warm-up game at Newlands in Cape Town on August 15.
They will then depart for a short tour to Ireland and Scotland where they will play Irish province Connaught and then Scotland in Edinburgh before moving on to France. The Boks’ first World Cup match is on September 9 against Samoa. – AFP
